Model mme 1003 OBSTETRIC TENS Instruction Book

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1 . . . WARNING

2 . . . DESCRIPTION

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mme 1003 OBSTETRIC TENS should

The mme 1003 OBSTETRIC TENS has been

only be used under the supervision of medical

specifically developed for the relief of pain during

staff.

pregnancy and childbirth. The effectiveness of

The

TENS On NO ACCOUNT should the

mme 1003

OBSTETRIC TENS be connected to a mains

(Transcutaneous

Electrical

Nerve

Stimulation) for the relief of pain has long been known to the medical profession.

powered battery eliminator or similar power supply, as under certain conditions this could

HOW TENS WORKS

prove hazardous to the user.

TENS is a method of applying electrical

TENS should not be used on patients who are

impulses

fitted with cardiac pace-makers, or on those who

underlying peripheral nerves.

have a history of heart disorders.

activity affects the large diameter nerve fibres

through

the

skin

to

effect

This electrical

and facilitates the operation of a “Gating

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the

and

The results of these studies have shown that a

effectively overrides the transmission of pain

significant reduction of pain may be achieved,

signals in the small diameter nerve fibres

with possible reduction in use of medication and

(Melzack & Wall 1965).

therefore lessening the risk of side effects to

Mechanism”

within

the

spinal

cord

both mother and child. It is also suggested that, TENS stimulates the production of naturally occurring pain relieving substances, called endorphins and encephalins, which act at segmental levels in the spinal cord, and also within the central nervous system to relieve pain and promote a feeling of well-being (Salar et al 1981).

The use of TENS in labour has been studied by many researchers, among them Augustinsson et al (1977), Robson (1979) and more recently by G. Bortoluzzi (1989) at Box Hill Hospital.

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3 . . . SPECIFICATIONS

Obstetric mme

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1003

9 8 7

5

4

6

6

3

5

2

8

4

1

9

7

0

3

OUTPUT

Biphasic Pulse (No net DC component)

1 Frequency

2

PULSE RATE

1 - 100 Hz

PULSE WIDTH

250 micro-seconds

1

Power On

Ready

Of Am plitude

AMPLITUDE

150 Volts (1K ohm load)

POWER SOURCE

9 Volt Battery

(Alkaline battery recommended) HAND CONTROL

2:1 Range (Amplitude)

DIMENSIONS

Width

Height

30 mm

Length

120 mm

MME 1003 Page 8

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65 mm

Each mme 1003 OBSTETRIC TENS SYSTEM is supplied in a carry case containing the following items:

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4 . . .OPERATIONS __________________________________

1 Stimulator unit 1 Lead set 1 Hand control unit 1 9 volt battery 1 Instruction manual

It is strongly recommended that the use of the TENS unit is practised for some time before the expected birth, so that its operation is fully understood and the mother-to-be becomes familiar with the sensations produced. Use the smaller (50 mm x 50 mm) electrodes for this purpose.

Electrodes are available separately To prepare these electrodes for use, first insert the pins on the ends of the four way lead into the receiving lead attached to the self-adhesive electrodes.

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Attach all four electrodes to the skin and press

on the unit by rotating the AMPLITUDE knob

them firmly against the skin (see diagram page

clockwise until it clicks. The red POWER ON

16).

and the green READY lights should both illuminate. If the READY light does not come on

IMPORTANT when practising using the TENS,

or is dim, the battery needs to be replaced. To

place the electrodes on your arm or leg, NOT in

replace the battery, remove the cover on the

the position that is used for labour and delivery.

back of the istrument, withdraw the battery and remove the battery connector. Install new

Having attached the electrodes as described

bayttery and replace cover.

above, make sure that the TENS unit is switched off (AMPLITUDE knob fully anti-clockwise), then

Now SLOWLY increase the AMPLITUDE setting

insert the plug on the four way lead into the

until a tingling sensation is felt under the

socket on the top right hand side of the TENS

electrodes.

unit.

Next, connect the HAND CONTROL by

AMPLITUDE a little at a time to become used to

inserting the three pin plug into the socket on the

the sensation. Do not increase it to point where

top left of the unit.

it becomes uncomfortable. As the AMPLITUDE

You are now ready to

Continue

to

increase

the

is increased, the red lights (bar graph) on the left

commence treatment.

of the machine will progressively illuminate. Set

the

FREQUENCY

knob

to

10

(this

corresponds to a frequency of 100 Hz), switch Page 12

These lights switch on and off at a rate set by the FREQUENCY knob but at a higher Page 13

FREQUENCY above (20Hz) they appear to be on continuously.

When you have finished using the TENS, switch it off and remove the electrodes from the skin. It

Next take the hand controller and GENTLY

is not necessary to remove the electrodes, but

press the plunger down - this boosts the output -

the leads should be disconnected from the

the more you press the plunger down the

electrodes until next used.

stronger the stimulation. This boost will be used to control your pain during contractions. When

Practise using your TENS from time to time, so

you release the plunger, the stimulation returns

that when you go into labour you will be

to the level set by the AMPLITUDE knob - this is called the background level. Note that as the plunger is depressed the reading on the bar graph will increase.

thoroughly conversant with its use. During labour and for delivery, the large self adhesive electrodes are used.

These are

applied to the lower back as shown in the diagram.

After using the TENS for some time, you will notice that the tingling sensation diminishes

To enhance adhesion, the area to

which the electrodes are to be applied should first be moistened with a damp sponge.

somewhat - this is called accommodation, so the AMPLITUDE should be increased a little to maintain a satisfactory background level. Page 14

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As was done during the practise sessions, with the frequency set on ten, set the background stimulation (AMPLITUDE) to a comfortable level (strong but not painful).

During contractions

increase the stimulation by using the hand control - this can be operated by the expectant mother herself or her partner - to relieve the pain.

As mentioned before, the background

level may need to be increased from time to time as accommodation occurs.

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ELECTRODE PLACEMENT

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CHART

5 . . . GUARANTEE __________________________________ The

mme 1003 OBSTETRIC TENS UNIT is

covered by a full two year guarantee, covering the

materials

(except

batteries),

workmanship used in its construction.

and Should

any fault develop within the guarantee period, meyer medical electronics undertake to repair or replace the instrument free of charge. Simply return the defective equipment along with evidence of purchase date, and a description of the fault, to meyer medical electronics or its agent for service. This guarantee does not cover damage caused by misuse, accident or battery leakage and is not transferable. Page 17

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